Chapter 3
The paramedics carefully lifted Sophie onto a stretcher. Evelyn refused to let go of her daughter’s hand the entire time.
“I’m coming with her,” she told the officers firmly.
One of them nodded.
“We’ll need your statement at the hospital as well.”
As they wheeled Sophie out of the ballroom, Evelyn could feel the weight of hundreds of stares on her back. Some people looked horrified. Others looked ashamed. A few were already whispering among themselves, probably trying to process what they had just witnessed.
Preston was being led out through a side entrance by the two officers. He kept turning his head, looking for someone — anyone — to speak up for him.
No one did.
His own parents sat frozen in their seats, unable to meet his eyes. His new wife had completely distanced herself, standing near the head table with her arms wrapped around herself.
The beautiful wedding reception had turned into something none of them would ever forget.
Inside the ambulance, Sophie lay quietly on the stretcher. The cut on her forehead had been bandaged, but she was still pale and shaken. Evelyn sat beside her, gently stroking her hair.
“Does it hurt a lot, baby?” she asked softly.
Sophie nodded a little.
“But not as much as when he grabbed me,” she whispered.
Evelyn’s chest tightened.
She had known Preston was cruel. She had known he looked down on her and Sophie. But she had never imagined he would go this far — framing an eight-year-old child and then violently attacking her when she denied it.
“Why did he do that, Mommy?” Sophie asked, her voice small. “Why did Uncle Preston put his phone in my pocket?”
Evelyn swallowed hard.
“Because he wanted everyone to think you were bad,” she said honestly. “And because he thought no one would believe you over him.”
Sophie was quiet for a moment.
“But you believed me,” she said.
Evelyn leaned down and kissed her daughter’s forehead gently, avoiding the bandage.
“I will always believe you,” she whispered. “No matter what.”
Sophie closed her eyes, looking exhausted.
Outside the ambulance windows, the city lights of Chicago blurred past as they headed toward the hospital.
Evelyn stared out into the night, her mind racing.
Preston had finally gone too far.
May you like
And this time, there would be no sweeping it under the rug.
This time, everyone had seen the truth.
